Bureau of Topographical Engineers. (Newspaper item)

Newspaper article: "Bureau of Topographical Engineers. Washington, February 14, 1846. Sir: The report of the board of engineers, referred to this bureau, recommends the following surveys for the defences of the coast of Texas; 1. "A survey of the port of Galveston, and the intervening bays, lagoons, and lands, extending from Sabine bay to Corpus Christi bay." 2. "Also, the harbors of St. Luis, Porto Cavallo, Aransas pass, and Brassos Santiago." 3. "An inland communication between Louisiana and the Rio Grande would be a very desirable result, commercially, and to the defence of the coast." "In an aggregate distance of 33 miles of excavation, the water may flow from the Sabine to Corpus Christi bay, and thence to Brassos Santiago." "The board therefore entertain the subject, and recommend that its importance be tested by actual survey." 4. "At some point in the bay of Galveston, or on the Trinity river, an arsenal of the first class for the construction of gun-carriages, &c, and the supply of military stores will probably be required; a survey of this bay, in all its extent, is therefore necessary, to exhibit the present facility of navigation, its improvement, and the resources of the adjacent country." The distance from Sabine bay to Brassos Santiago is about 350 miles, by the map; thence to the mouth of the Rio Grande, is about 14 miles. It is represented in the report of the board, that 33 miles of excavation would cause the water to flow from the Sabine to Brassos Santiago; hence the length of the inland bays and creeks to be surveyed is 317 miles: these bays or lagoons are from 5 to 10 miles in width. Supposing an average width of 6 miles, it will give an area of 1,902 square miles. Galveston bay by the may, is about 50 miles long and 20 wide--say 1,000 square miles--which would make in the whole about 2,900 square miles. The harbors of St. Luis, Porto Cavallo, Aransas pass, and Brassos Santiago, are entrances from the gulf to the inland bays before mentioned as extending along the coast of Texas, from Galveston nearly to the Rio Grande. The surveys required may be said to embrace the entire coast of Texas; it does, in fact, embrace an examination of all except about 14 miles between Brassos Santiago and the Rio Grande. The surveys required could only be carried on in vessels of a good class, of about 100 tons burden, provided with a sufficiency of boats, boatmen, &c. [Here follows estimates amounting, for two parties, 12 months each, to $42,000] To execute these surveys, (for the defences of the coast of Texas,) it will be necessary that an appropriation be made, in conformity with the for&going estimate. Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, J. J. Abert, Colonel Corps Topographical Engineers. Hon W. L. Marcy, Secretary of War."